The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-03-11
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher Strick-
en- Down by Apoplexy.
All Hope for His Recovery Abandoned and
His Family, Friends and COngrega-
tion SOrrowfuIly Awaiting
the Final Summons.

His Family, Friends and COngrega-
tion sOrrOwfuIly Awaiting
the Final Summons.
NEW York, March 5.-The Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher has had a stroke OF
apoplexy, and now lies unc onscious.
While hoping that the attack may not
prove fatal, grave fears are entertained
by his family and intimate friends that
his labors as pastor in this world have
ended. Mr. Beecher resides with his son,
Colonel Henry Beecher. at the corner OF
Hicks and Clark streets, in Brooklyn.
son, who is in the West, another in San
Francisco, andI Mrs. Scoville, is
daughter, have been telographed for.
Colonel Beecher has also telegraphed
for his son, who is IN ale
College. Colonel Beecher and ms
brother, ex-Assistant District At
tornev William c. Beecher, with his wife
and Mrs. Beecher were at the bedside OF
the great clergyman all day to-day. They
were completely overcome with grief at
his condition He has always been in
such good health, and was apparently so
hale for his age that they could hardly
realize that he was lying there in such a
helpless condition. His attack came on
so gradually that his wife and son were
unable to realize the full extent OF his Ill
ness.
BROOKLYN, N. Y, March 6.-The anxiety
of hundreds of citizens of Brooklyn to
learn the condition of Rev. Henry Ward
Beecher led them to visit the residence OF
his son, Colonel Henry Beecher, at Clark
and Hicks streets, at an early hour this
morning. Only the immediate friends of
the family were admitted, but as soon as
| any one emerged from the dwelling where
the great preacher was lying at the point
| of death, they were eagerly questioned by
! the throng who surrounded the house.
| They had no ord of encouragement IN
| regard to his condition, for he had lam IN
| an unconscious condition since Saturday
! afternoon, and had not since that time
! given any evidence that he recognized any
| person about his bedside. Up to that
! time he had been able to raise his right
! hand to his head and give them to under
| stand that he was suffering considerable
| pain, but in the evening he seemed to
pass into a comatose state, his breathing
was hard, and he lost the power OF NOV
| ing his body.
Mrs. Beecher was by his bedside good
portion of the night, and she was relieved
| by her daughter, Mrs. ScOville, who ar
| rived early last evening. The medicine
prescribed by the physician was regularly
| taken, and Mr.. Beecher had no dlfhculty
| in swallowing it.
DR.. Searle his family physician, reached
| the house shortly after eight o'clock this
| morning, and, after an examination, con-
| cluded that Mr. Beecher was not as well
| as last evening, and it was probably only
| a question of a few hours when he would
pass away. He was not surprised at Mr..
Beecher's condition, having anticipated an
| unfavorable change.
All efforts to arouse Mr.. Beecher to any
| sense of consciousness proved unavalling.
The family were, of course, overcome
| with grief, it being difficult for them to
| realize that there was no hope Of a change
for the better.
At four o'clock this morning there
| seemed to be a change for the worse, and
all the members of the family were sum
| moned. Breathing almost ceased, and dis
| solution seemed near. The patient was
| wholly uncons scious, but half an hour later
a rally took place.
At ten o'clock another alarming relapse
occurred. Major Pond took a carriage and
hastened to DR.. Hammond's office in New
| York The doctor was so engaged that he
could not leave, and he sent a request tC
Dr. VIM Todd Helmuth to go instead, and
| wait until he came. DR.. Helmuth assent
ed, and drove back with Major Pond, anC
at II a. m. this bulletin was issued;
| Prof. Helmuth, in consultation, fully confirms
the opinion of the other physicians. Mr.. Beech
er is gradually falling. He may however, lv'
for several days.
ISignedI w. s. SEARLE.
By this time there was crowd of sew
eral hundred persons around the house
who pressed eagerly forward to scan the
! bulletin. Then some of them moved sadly
away to the church. a short distance from
the house, and listened to the mournfu
services, which only served to REMIND
them more forcibly of him who had beer
stricken from the pulpit he had occupied
so long.
An hour or so later Dr. Hammond ar
1 rr1f fnH THTff1
Doctors Searle and Helmuth, and the fol
lowing bulletin was issued
March $3.50 p m.
Dr. Hammond in consultation. Mr. Beeche
in a deep state of coma all day. No sign o
pain or consciousness of any sort. Death con
sidered certain, but at an indefinite time-proh
, ''-' IsignedI w. s. sEARLE
Mr. Thos g. Shearman and other i'm
mediate friends of the family were ad
mitted to the sick room during the day
| and one after another emerged with eye
filed with tears In the afternoon 1t re
. quired the services of two policemen t.
kee the steps to the dwelling from being
blocked completely by the crowd.
DIR. Searle made another call upon Mr.
Beecher about FIVE o'clock, and said tha
he thought he was breathing easier, ant
he did not look for immediate dissolution
, It was his opinion that Mr.. Beecher woul'
live until tomorrow.
During the day he has been under thu
constant supervision of his physician, wht
will remain with him during the night
Drs. W. T. Helmuth and W. A. Hammond
Of New York City, have each visited hin
once to-day. All these medical adviser
are in full and active accord as to the 10
cation of the diseased part, its present
status, the remedial measures 70 be EN-
ployed, and as to the progress OF the case
/ II ia their oDini0n that the history OF to
day confirms the opinion they have enter
tanned from the beginning, VIZ: that re
! cOvery is not to be hoped for; that though
the effusion of blood into the brain is nov
stopped, fresh hemOrrhage may at an.
time occur and speedily end hfe-
No sermon was preached at Mr.. Beech
eI's church this morning, but a beautiful
and impressive service took its place. Thi
church was well filled Rev DR.. Powell
secretary of the Home Missionary Society
conducted the service, assisted by Rev. ;
, B. Halliday, Mr.. Beecher's white haire'
assistant DR.. Powell prayed for tn
. congregation in the deep af1iction tina
! had come upon it, Then venerable DR.
Halliday rose, and, with trembling voice
said: at seems fit that we omit the regu
lar service and celebrate only the com
J munion. ] think your hearts VIII readily
respond TO the change Of service. Tear
- streamed down his cheeks as he adde's
, ! that a few moments before, the condition
Of Mr.. Beecher had been q dacIare 1ooeless